Ego Nwodim playfully mocks Cher&x27;s Luther Vandross flub at Indie Spirit Awards Bryan Alexander, USA TODAYMon, February 16, 2026 at 2:47 AM UTC 0 LOS ANGELES — The 2026 Independent Spirit Awards host, comedian Ego Nwodim, wants Cher to try pronouncing her name on the awards stage next. "SNL" alum Nwodim made fun of Cher's Grammy Awards flub when the music legend presented the record of the year award mistakenly to Luther Vandross, who died in 2005, and pronounced the late singer's last name as "Grandross.
Ego Nwodim playfully mocks Cher's Luther Vandross flub at Indie Spirit Awards
Bryan Alexander, USA TODAYMon, February 16, 2026 at 2:47 AM UTC
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LOS ANGELES — The 2026 Independent Spirit Awards host, comedian Ego Nwodim, wants Cher to try pronouncing her name on the awards stage next.
"SNL" alum Nwodim made fun of Cher's Grammy Awards flub when the music legend presented the record of the year award mistakenly to Luther Vandross, who died in 2005, and pronounced the late singer's last name as "Grandross."
"I'm going to make a movie called 'Ego Nwodim's Day,'" Nwodim said during the Indie Spirit Awards opening monologue. "It's just going to be me in an epsom salt bubble bath listening to Luther Grandross. And when y'all give me my award, I hope Cher presents it to me, because I'd love to hear her try to say my name."
Host Ego Nwodim speaks onstage during the 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards at Hollywood Palladium.
Nwodim was the first-time host of the annual awards show for independent films, streamed on YouTube one month before the 98th Academy Awards on March 15. The Indie Spirit Awards are traditionally held in a tent on the Santa Monica beach. However, because the 2028 Summer Olympics activities are being planned near the beach, the awards were moved to Hollywood's Palladium for the first time in 32 years.
"In the spirit of independent filmmaking, we don't have a permit. So stay alert, act casual, and move fast," Nwodim told the audience, which included actors Keke Palmer, Jesse Plemons, Kirsten Dunst and Tessa Thompson. "It turns out that being indoors at the Palladium in Hollywood is just as expensive as being in a tent in Santa Monica."
Ego Nwodim honors what filmmakers can 'achieve with just a little bit of empathy'
Nwodim did get serious, thanking the filmmakers for working during "incredibly heartbreaking times."
"It may feel impossible to see the light right now, but I'm deeply grateful to all of you for helping us understand who we are in the midst of chaos," Nwodim said. "And for reminding us of what we can achieve with just a little bit of empathy and bravery."
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1 / 0Keke Palmer, Tessa Thompson step out for the Spirit Awards red carpet
Hollywood applauded indie filmmaking at the 2026 Independent Spirit Awards on Feb. 15 at the Hollywood Palladium on Sunset Boulevard. Scroll through for all the best photos from the carpet, starting with Rose Byrne ("If I Had Legs I'd Kick You").
Political statements during 2026 Spirit Awards
While Nwodim stayed out of politics during the award show, political statements were still made at the Indie Spirits Awards.
"White Lotus" star Natasha Rothwell went off script when presenting the best ensemble award to criticize U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
"Hi, everyone. I'm going to go to the teleprompter, but I just want to say 'F--- ICE,'" Rothwell said, staring into the camera, before calmly going back to the award presentation for the Apple TV series "Chief of War."
Who won at the Indie Spirit Awards?
"Adolescence" star Stephen Graham beat out a crowded field, including Noah Wylie of "The Pitt" and Seth Rogen of "The Studio," to win best lead performance in a new scripted series.
1 / 0Emma Stone, Leo DiCaprio, more stars at the Oscar nominees luncheon
The 2026 Oscar nominees basked in their moment at a celebratory luncheon held Feb. 10 at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California. The winners will be announced at the live show on March 15. See who walked the red carpet, starring with Emma Stone, a best actress nominee for "Bugonia."
Rose Byrne, Oscar-nominated for her role in "If I Had Legs I'd Kick You," won for best lead performance in a movie, beating out a field that included Oscar-nominated Joel Edgerton from "Train Dreams."
Byrne said from the stage that the drama could only have been an independent film because her character "is fierce, she's ferocious and she's a middle-aged woman."
"Train Dreams," which is nominated for the best picture Oscar, won the top prize, best feature, at the Indie Spirits Awards.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ego Nwodim mocks Cher's Grammys flub, more Indie Spirit Awards moments
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Source: Entertainment
Published: February 16, 2026 at 05:00AM on Source: MANUEL MAG
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